Good bye India…till we meet again.

As I sit and glance out of the window this morning, with a bird’s eye view from the ninth floor of the Prana center I reminisce of the past weeks I have spent in India.  The stillness of the morning embraces the children as they come out into the morning sun on the playing field, floors below.  The river appears to the north and the south through the mist of the day.  A building elaborate in color from saris blowing in the wind catch’s my attention.  In my view past the bronze flag, of the next rooftop, I see a woman busy at her days work.  She cleans her terrace with a hand bristle broom, settling each one of her potted plants in their perfect place. 

There is a subtle peace about my view from here, it as if I am an observer.  The faint fan of the air conditioning muffles the horns in the streets.  The rustle and barking of the street dogs has calmed for the day.  I know the streets will stay busy now in the heat of the sun, but as of now I am a spectator through the glass windows of the ninth floor.  Soon I will return home to the land of ice and snow.  I have been given many gifts here on my travels, some of which were lessons, some messages, and some connections, all of which I will keep in my soul forever.  I have gratitude for this experience. 

A breath of sea air...

Jan. 11/13

Today was amazing, every last bit!  I enjoyed myself to the max!  Spent the day at the sea, and went swimming.  Enjoyed some time under the cabana’s and drinking fresh coconut water.  I embarked upon my first traditional Ayurvedic treatment, a massage.  Nothing less than amazing!  The treatment began with a full body massage using Ayurvedic oils, than 2 masseuses doused my body continuously with cloths soaked in oils.  The massage took place on a mahogany wood bed, the oils were permitted to flow and drain around me in the bathtub like cut out of the wooden bed.  They then drained to a bucket near my feet.  I could hear the oils drip and drain like a warm waterfall off the edge of the bed.  I could smell some of the excess oils burning off a small burner at the head of the bed, a common smell in India.  Next, I was given a full steam and shower.  I feel unbelievable.  It is really an honor to have two women massage you.  I could feel their rippled skin on the ends of their fingers, as if they had 45 years of work in their palms.  The young girl who massaged me was 19 years old, her partner 27.  It was a very nice experience to be pampered in such a way. 

My body now feels so good.  I think I am ready for 3 weeks of intensive clinical; off to Pune tomorrow.  A little nervous about being back in the big city, but excited to meet up with friends and colleagues. 

A weekend at the sea, a traditional Indian Ayurvedic massage, and fresh Indian cuisine is a real way to begin 3 weeks of training with some of the most renowned homeopaths in the world!

Out of this world!

January 8, 2014

Good morning from the other side of the world! Today was our first full day in Pune, India.  Our team arrived early this morning, around 3:30am at Pune International Airport.  The airport was pretty empty apart from our flight.  We were hit with the smell of burning wood, and the warm damp air of the early morning in India. 

Our driver was ready to receive us and take us through Pune to our hotel.  The city was busy in the early morning hours.  There was a lot of whistle blowing and horn honking.  I have learned quickly this is the mode of communication on the roads.  It was a pleasant interesting drive.  There was a lot going on around town.  The dogs were out on their early morning prowls, the rickshaws were all parked on the side roads, and we were just happy to be on solid ground. 

We arrived at a beautiful hotel in the midst of Pune’s busy streets.  We were greeted by kind help, bringing in our bags.  Settled into bed for a quick morning rest until the sun came up.  Breakfast was brilliant!  A grand buffet offered flavors of all kinds. 

Around lunchtime, we were met by an associate from the clinic we will be studying at.  He offered us a welcome and some general information, such as how to get to clinic, how to get a SIM phone card, and he really wanted to show us Pizza Hut and MacDonald’s. 

The staff here and the doctors from Prauna Clinic have been so hospitable and attentive to our wishes.  People in India have been kind, and helpful which makes the adjustments easier. 

We are adjusting to the change of time, and getting adequate rest now.  Tomorrow we will undertake some shopping, exploring, and maybe make it to a local museum. 

Before, I leave you for the night, I must say the flavors of Buttered Chicken and fresh garlic buttered naan are still dancing in my mouth.  It has been an exhausting 24 hours, it feels as if someone has taken me and dropped me in the middle of the ocean.  It is a feeling that I recall, not too long ago, when I began homeopathy.  Everything seems a bit strange still, out of touch, yet there is something extraordinary about this journey we embark upon today. 

REMEDY OF THE DAY: COCCULUS INDICUS

Cocculus ia a know remedy for ailments from night watching.  For example, nurses who sit up all night watching their sick patients, or mothers up with their nursing children.  In my case, I used this remedy for the repercussions of Jetlag.  The time change and tracel to India is along, and the loss of sleep has been much more than usual.  The homeopathic texts state the following keynotes for the remedy picture of Cocculus:  “The loss of sleep produces an oversensitivity of the nerves - they become "raw" and "on the edge": "Oversensitivity to noise, to riding in a carriage, to odours, to looking at moving objects", "Giddiness, dullness, a sense of imbalance". As a result, the patients want to lie down with their eyes closed.”